Interview: Will Netanyahu and President Trump’s Deal of the Century Survive Israel’s March 2 Election (Q&A)

With Israel's March 2, 2020 election less than three weeks away, the political survival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Trump's Deal of the Century seem to be linked together as the central issues in the campaign.

Despite an indictment for possible corruption hanging over his head, and despite the fact that he is slightly behind in the polls, Netanyahu is waging a fierce campaign against left-of-center opponent Benny Gantz.

Trump's peace proposal, which Netanyahu had a major role in crafting, is at the center of his battle plan. What are the issues at play, that will determine whether Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, succeeds against all odds to emerge victoriously?

We are joined by Middle East expert David Rubin, former Mayor of Shiloh and author of "Trump and the Jews."

Q: What is the significance of President Trump's peace proposal for Netanyahu's campaign? A: Netanyahu had a central role over the past three years in influencing the content of this proposal, especially the part that says that Israel can declare its sovereignty over all the Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria, the so-called West Bank. One of the central tenets of his campaign is to present himself as a master diplomat and his role in crafting this deal is being presented by his campaign team as further proof of his accomplishments.

Q: There have been other peace deals proposed during past administrations. What is different this time around?

A: Past proposals, such as the one proposed by former PM Ehud Olmert during the GW Bush administration have always offered the Palestinians close to 100% of Judea and Samaria and a state with its capital in the Old City of Jerusalem. This one gives them far less and places certain conditions on them in exchange for their hoped-for independent state. Such clear demands have never been made of them in the past.

Q: Can you be more specific? What kinds of demands are we talking about?

A: #1 The cessation of the payment of salaries to terrorists

#2 The recognition of Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people

#3 The demilitarization of their constituent terrorist organizations, such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad

Q: Hasn't Netanyahu's opponent Benny Gantz also expressed his support for the Trump peace plan?

A: He has, but in the same breath he said that Israel should not declare its sovereignty over any of the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria without "international approval". That is quite different from the approach of Netanyahu, who is trying to coordinate such a declaration with American cooperation and recognition. Does Gantz really think that the UN and the EU, will their proven biases against Israel, will give their approval?

Q: In your book, you wrote about President Trump's role in correcting the Middle East failures of past administrations. Where can people get a copy of your book "Trump and the Jews"?

Bio: David Rubin, former Mayor of Shiloh Israel, is the author of the book, "Trump and the Jews" and five other books. Rubin is the founder and president of Shiloh Israel Children's Fund, established after he and his then three-year-old son were wounded in a terror attack. He can be found at www.DavidRubinIsrael.com or at http://www.ShilohIsraelChildren.org

A Turkish Police officer assassinated the Russian Ambassador to Turkey in front of a horrified crowd at a photo exhibition in Ankara, the Turkish capital, over the Russian’s hard-line uncompromising commitment to Syria’s Bashar al Assad.

PT's Entertainment Group will commemorate the grand opening of its 60th tavern, PT's Gold, located at 8985 Blue Diamond Road, with a celebration including discounts on food and drinks from 5 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30.

Swedish Chocolatier Emanuel Andren launched into the North American confections market with a whirlwind Southern California trip that began at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and concluded with a sampling at the historic Chateau Marmont in Hollywood.

The terrorist attack in Strasbourg (eastern France) is believed to be the work of a radicalized offender. Three people died as a result of this attack, twelve others wounded. The Vigipirate plan was raised at the emergency level.

Ashland Oregon Day Trips, from author Barbara Tricarico, presents a beautiful collection of photographs that capture her home state in all its majesty and splendor as she travels from the golden coastline to the mountain peaks.

The National Aeronautics and Space Agency, (NASA), in an historic mission, released the first ever photos of Pluto’s surface culminating the nine year effort to bring to the world images and collect data from the furthest planet in the solar system.

The heat wave that is currently raging in France also questions the adaptability of a modern country in the face of climate change. France, and the countries of the world, will necessarily face and manage a precipitous change.

20 children and six adults were slaughtered, Friday, when a lone gunman fought his way into Sandy Hook Elementary School, in Newtown, Connecticut, armed with enough ammunition to murder every student in this small New York City suburb.

Outlaw King, from Netflix, Sigma Films and Anonymous Content, presents the historical and epic odyssey of bravery, triumph, heartache and separation as the 14th century Scottish King hunted by the English Army used the land they desired to defeat them.

President Obama announced targeted airstrikes in a new wave initiative that directs American bombers to assist the Iraqi Minster of Defense as they fight the advancing ISIL/ISIS terror organization dedicated to the annihilation of the Iraqi people.

TIME Magazines announced today that German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the formidable backbone of the largest nation in Europe, won its Person of the Year award, edging out competitors such as Donald J. Trump and the Black Lives Matter movement.

President Donald Trump suffered a defeat as the Immigration Ban was upheld and blasted his disapproval on Twitter while promising to be better as he voiced his frustration over his administrations stumbles and missteps.